Aargh! Enough already! A winter that seemed to be exceptionally long has turned to raise its ugly head and bear its teeth. While all the residents of Huntington have faced the challenges of the weather, the merchants of our community have really suffered. I was in a ¾ full Munday's grill last night and we were talking about how difficult the streets and parking were to navigate and how customers were not venturing out as much. At Reinwald's Bakery there has been some days where the snow plowing bill has been more than the dollars took in that day.

Just as I begin to feel sorry for myself, I think of my two nieces in Boston. Just walking a few blocks is a chore and the local merchants are suffering terribly. I know of a bakery that the business is down 50% and on top of that their raw ingredient deliveries have been sporadic because of all the snow.

Against this backdrop I know all of us are looking forward to spring. I am sure we will all appreciate it much more this year. The sight of the crocuses pushing through the last frost, birds beginning to sing and the first buds of green are sure to make us all put the winter of 2015 behind us.

This Sunday begins daylight savings time. It also marks the 89th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade. We will be making a lot of Irish soda bread, but in my book nothing tastes better with the ultimate Irish meal of corned beef and cabbage than a loaf of Reinwald's German rye bread. Take a chance to see if you agree with me. As an incentive, rye bread is being offered at 20% off this month. I know what I am eating on Sunday!

My son, Christopher is really not a big fan of peanut butter but he loves Nutella, the hazelnut chocolate spread. Whenever I went to the German butcher for bratwurst he had me pick up a jar for him. Later, when he drove to school at St. Anthony's he would stop himself for his supply. Today Nutella is much more popular and can be found in most food stores. This has inspired Chris to create a Nutella based mousse cake. This month we will be featuring an individual sized version that has made me have a few lapses in my diet.

Check out our recipe below for potato leek soup. It is pretty easy and was chosen because leeks are one of the first greens to be picked in the spring.

I am afraid many of you may be reading this as it is still snowing. View it as the last chance of the year to be in the snow and hope that it is the final adieu for the season. Stay warm, stay safe and let's all prepare to welcome spring!